Thursday, April 21, 2011

April Newsletter

Well, we've done it again. We've published our latest Ocracoke Newsletter. This month's article is a history of the Ocracoke Preservation Society.

As I mentioned several posts ago, OPS has struggled financially recently due to rising costs and expenses, and declining revenues. It seems that the economic downturn has affected OPS, like it has so many other non-profit organizations.

In an attempt to generate needed funds, a number of events have been planned (a recent Donald Davis storytelling evening, yesterday's auction on the museum lawn, and a Molasses Creek concert next month).

This month's Newsletter is my contribution to these efforts. It documents the early history of the Society, lists a number of its accomplishments, and highlights some of its present and on-going projects.

Ocracoke Preservation Society is a valuable and important repository of island documents, photographs, artifacts, stories, and information, as well as a public reminder of the value of historic preservation.

wow. folks who read this blog should consider supporting financially a group that is so much apart of OI and if one visits the island vicariously via this blog it should be a no brainer to send a check to support the historic preservation. And I would think the realtors would consider sending a check to maintain the charm that folks seek when visiting the island. Please everyone reading this send a check today.

I did mention ferry tolls on March 18. There really isn't much of an argument on Ocracoke. As you might imagine, there is little support for tolls among residents. DOT representatives were on the island a few days ago with a questionaire. Most islanders were dismayed that there was no place to indicate "no tolls" as a choice. Many folks simply drew a line across the questions and wrote "no tolls." I have not heard any more news about this issue. Maybe some of our readers have.

OPS does get some grant money -- from the Ocracoke Occupancy Tax Board, as well as occasionally from the Outer Banks Foundation for specific projects. However OPS does not have anyone trained in raising funds through grants.

If all the visitors to Ocracoke Island would just give $5 to OPS, what a difference it would make to this worthy historical organization. If folks can give more, even better.

To Anon #1, I sincerely hope and pray that his trip for you and your daughter from the Make-A-Wish Foundation will be such a wonderful and blessed time. I can't imagine a better place to go and make memories than on Ocracoke Island. Safe travels!